Bridges are the architectural elements that tie Venice together. Without them, the city would be a collection of islands with no way to get from one to another except by boat. Bridges come in many styles, but they all rise sufficiently high above the canals to allow standing boatmen to pass beneath.

1. Ponte San Provolo, Rio del Vin, Castello
A simple bridge, carrying a narrow calle across a canal.

2. Ponte San Martino, Castello Here the bridge crosses one canal, while running parallel to another.

3. Rio San Lorenzo, Castello
This bridge and that in picture #4 are less than one hundred yards apart over the Rio San Lorenzo. The two pictures are taken looking in opposite directions.

4. Rio San Lorenzo, Castello
If it looks like the bell tower is leaning, that's because it is; it's part of the church of S. Giorgio dei Greci, the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox community.

5. Rio della Muneghette, Santa Croce
Complex territory, where bridge meets with fondamenta and water stairs.